Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-01-27
Killing Wild Turkeys in Texas
Col. A. G. Bracket, in Chicago Times

OOl A. U. DrdcKSGU, III CnlCdgO lilies.
Some years ago while out scouting for
Indians, Christmas eve found Us near the
San Pedro springs, or, as they are more
commonly known, the heads Of the devils
river, Texas. At that time it was wild
section of the country, as indeed it is at
present. Some Indians had attacked a
train on the old Ell Paso road, and there
were rumors that portion of the red men
engaged in making the attack were still
lurking about the ponds of that region
where the thick growths of IiYe-oak trees
furnished them an abundance of shelter,
as well as a fine place of concalment.
During the attack Mr.. John Dunlop, who
was the post trader at Camp Hudson had
been severely wounded and Gallagher,
his partner, had his horse shot under him.
The mules attached to the wagon ran
away, and quite number were taken by
the savages. The attack was made in the
evening, when quite dark, and was as I'M
expected as it was successful. Almost in
the twinkling of an eye what had bJen a
well organized train of wagons, moving
on the road as regularly as could be,
was transformed into heap of Overturn-
ed vehicles, the mules scattered in every
direction, the men finding shelter as best
they could amid the trees and rocks. A
good deal of damage was done in the
shape of broken tongues, harness, reaches
and so forth, which took several days af-
terward to repair.
Mr.. Gallagher, who was my companion,
had seen a good deal of Indian life on the
frontier, and at one time was in charge of
ranch on which he had several Mexicans
employed. The Indians made it their
business to see how things were progress
ing at this ranch and upon one occasion,
| finding Mr.. Gallagher alone, had fred up
on and severely wounded him in the feshy
part of his left arm. Knowing it would
not do to let the Mexicans know what had
| happened he concealed it as best he could
as he felt sure they would all go away if
they found the red men were coming
about. He bandaged his wound, and, the
weather being hot, he suffered consid-
erably. Soon, however, he discovered
| that the maggots had got into the wound
and without letting his hired men know
why he absented himself, rode on horse
| back to San Antonio, where his arm was
properly dressed, and he eventually re-
covered though he had a bad scar left.
From this it will be seen that he was a
very resolute person, and one who could
be depended upon when there was
| trouble.
While at this place violent wind sprang
up which was as cold as could be. We
| built fires, but it was no use; one side of
US seemed to be baked, while the other
| side was nearly frozen. This wind was
| what is known as a Snorther" in Texas,
and is the only decided change IN the
temperature in that region, the northers
| being divided into dry and wett ones.
! Wet northers are, if possible, more dis
| agreeable than dry ones, but both are I'M
! pleasant enough, especially in the winter
| season. Just as we got into the timber
some soldiers joined Us, whe made their
camp a short distance away, and COM
menced getting their supper. They had
several packmules pith them, well laden
with stores of one kind and another, and
above all had plenty of coffee and sugar.
We had been in the woods perhaps half
an hour when one of the largest focks of
wild turkeys ever saw flew in and settled
among the live-oak limbs. At once the
soldiers began shooting them, and before
minute elapsed some twenty of the tur-
keys were killed. They fell among US like
great balls dropping from the trees, and
the noise they made upon striking the
ground showed them to be large ones.
| Of course, the soldiers were happy, as
! the fowls made most welcome addition
| to their plain fare.
It was pitiful to see the turkeys look
down when the firing commenced, they
being unable to understand what was 60
| ing on. At best they are not remarkable
| for their wisdom, and when the soldiers
| took possession of their grounds they lost
what little sense they had. Each man
made his rifle do good work, and the re-
suit was the most satisfactory. The
Comanche Indians, for some reason or
other, will not touch turkey, they hav-